Stoker



June 20, l1944.

w. T. HANNA 2,351,959

' sToKER Filed Jan. 12, 1940 Y'Sheets-Sheet 4 I NvENToR Wlllam Z Hanna A'rTRNEYs L@ BY June 20, 1944. I Wl T HANNA 2,351,959

STOKER VFiled Jan. 12, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet l 'INVENTOR Wz'lz'am T. [[alma June 20, v1944. w. T. HANN'A STOKER Filed van. 12, 1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 mvENToR William 11. Hanna BY Z ArrdllOvEYs 7/7 Patented June 20, 1944 rv'UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE s'roKER y William T. Hanna., cincinnati, ohioy Application January 12, 1940, Serial No. 313,599

'28' Claims.

This invention relates to stokers particularly adapted for firing locomotives. Stokersof this type have a conduit conveyingsystem extending from beneath the locomotive tender up to the rebox of the locomotive. At the discharge end of this conduit system distributing apparatus receives coal from the conveyor system and distributes it over the rebox. The distributing operation is important for the efciency of thecombustion depends to a large extent on accurate coal distribution and on the manner in which the distributing is accomplished. One `of the objects of the present invention is to provide for improved coal distribution, andfor an improved conveying system for delivering the coal to the distributing apparatus.

Another requirement whichy a satisfactory stoker must meet is that of taking up a minimum amount of room in the locomotive cab and of fitting in the limited space beneath the front end of the tender. This is particularly true Where, as in the present invention, .the Stoker res through the hand-firing opening in the backhead of the locomotive boiler and wherein the conduit system extends up through the cab deck. Further, the delivery heads of stokers firing through the hand-firing opening must be constructed to permit free access of repairmen to the interior of the rebox through the hand-firing opening. It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved conveying system meeting the above and other requirements.

In the drawings, A

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a stoker embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a detailed section taken on line 2- 2 of Figure 1 and showing a mouthpiece of the Stoker adjusted to the left of the vertical medial plane of the stoker;

which the distributing apparatus is mounted -within the confines'of the firing opening;

Figure 7a is a detailed perspective showing the location of parts onthe side of the frame supporting the mouthpiece;

Figure 8 shows the delivery end of the stoker of Figure 1 in side elevation and shows a modi- Alied connection between a hopper beneath the tender and a :transfer-conveyor conveyingthe coal from the hopper to the locomotive;

Figures 9 and 10 are detailed sections taken on lines 9-9 and lil-III respectively of Figure 8;

Figure 11 shows partly in elevation and partly in section another modication'of the connection between the tender hopper and transfer conveyor; and y Figures 12and 13 are detailed sections taken respectively on lines I 2-I2 and I3I3 of Figure 11. n

Referring to Figure 1, part, of a locomotive backhead l2 is shown and grate bars II inside the iirebox are indicated, In the backhead is a hand-.firing.opening I.3. Coal is conveyed from a'hopper `I located beneath the tender through a transfer conduit 20 up through a riser or elevating conduitv generally indicated at 2 to distributing apparatusgenerally indicated at 3.10- cated within the ring opening i3. Coal is movedvthrough this conduit system by universally connected screw conveyors Ia,-20a and 39 respectively mounted in the hopper, in the transfer conduit and in the elevating conduit. The screw conveyor Ia may be driven by a gear .located in the 'rear of the hopper, not shown, and in turn conveyor Ia drives the other two conveyors.

`The delivery end of the riser conduit 2 vis mounted on a frame structure generally indie cated at 4 (Figures 1, 2 and 8) rigidly bolted to the backhead and encompassing the firing opening. The frame structure comprises a lower portion I4 extendingk generally along and down--v wardly from the lower edge of the firing opening I3; and an upper portion I5 having side plates I5@ extending upwardly along the vside of the firing opening and having a top section ISU extending across the top thereof. The frame 4 also has a rear or cover portion I6 itself provided with a hand-,firing opening I1 alignedwith the firing opening I3. The opening I'Iis normally covered by anyof the usual fir'e door constructions, not shown. This frame structure made up of sections I4, I5 and I6 may be constructed as one piece or in sections as disclosed.

Referring to Figures.12, `'7a and 8, the lower section I4 at its lower endrigidly supports a short conduit section I8 of the-riser conduit 2. The conduit section I8 has at its lower extremity a flange I8a and at its upper extremityA an externally spherically .shaped connecting` piece I8b forming part, of a pivotal connection to be described. The lower section of the riser conduit 2comprises a conduit section I9 bolted to the flange Illa, of -section I 8. The conduit section I9 yis additionally supported by a foot extending forwardly therefrom and secured to a bracket 41 attached to Vthe mud-,ring of the locomotive.

.The conduit section I9 is expanded at its lower end to connect universally with the transfer conduit 2.0. -The expanded portion has an internal spherically shaped portion I9b and an external circumferential angeISc to which may be se- The sleeve A section 22 is retained against rotational movement with respect to the conduit I9 by a cylindrically formed pin 22b extending downwardly from the spherical portion 22a and conned within an elongated recess 23 formed by aligned recesses in flanges I9c and 2| a of the conduit I9 and retaining ring 2| respectively. The conduit connectionjust described provides for universal movement between the conduits I9 and 20 and forlongitudinal movement between the conduit and the ball 22a to take care of relative movement-between the locomotive and tender. e

The rearward end of conduit 20 is universally connected with the discharge from the hopper, I. This connection is of known construction and will not be described further herein. A

The delivery end of the riser conduit 2 comprises a mouthpiece generally indicated at24 pivotally supported onv the spherically shaped portion I8b of the conduit section I8. The lower end` 24a of the mouthpiece has an internally spherically shaped surface which receives. the ball end I 8b and is pivotally held in place by means of pintle bolts 25 threaded through the end 24a and engaging holes I8c in the e'n'd' I8b'. These pintle bolts are aligned and form an axis x-a: which lies in the vertical medial plane `of the locomotive and stoker that is, the vertical plane that includes the longitudinal centerline of the firebox. Referring to `Figures 4, 5, and 6', the mouthpiece 24 is shown as diverging andenlarging in cross-section towards its upper end and its cross-sectional shape gradually changes from circular, to elliptical, to a generally rectangular cross-section at its end. The inside surface 24b of the bottom wall of the mouthpiece and the bottom outside surface 24e thereof are substantially flat and lie `at an angle of 'approximately fifty-six degrees to the horizontal. The upper inside surface of the top wall of the mouthpiece, generally indicated in Figures 4,5 and 6 as 24d, is depressed inwardly between Vthe ends of the mouthpiece and centrally along the length of the mouthpiece, the depressed portion being bounded laterally by a pair of arched passageways diverging in the direction oi the flow of the fuel, for purposes hereinafter pointed out. The forward end of the bottom wall slidably rests on a fiat projection I4d centrally located Awith respect to and flush with the top edge I4e of the wall |4f of the section I4 of the frame 4. The bottom wall terminates in a slightly V- shaped edge 24e, as best shown in Figure 2, the vertex of. which is symmetrically aligned with said vertical medial plane of said mouthpiece.

The V-shaped edge 24el is s o proportioned that when the mouthpiece 24 is in either ofv thegextreme lateral positions, one-half of the V-shaped edge will coincide and be ush with edge I4'e.

The top wall 24d of the mouthpiece 24 is constructed so as to form a pair of inverted channels 245iV of arcuate formation. The outer walls of these channels blend into the side walls o f the is perpendicular to the wall I4f and to the bottom 24o so that the bottom wall remains in flat sliding contact with the projection I4d for all positions of adjustment of the mouthpiece 24. The adjustment is made by means of manually adjustable screws 26 threaded through bearings 26a in the side plates I5a. The screws abut against surfaces 24J on the outside of the mouthypiece and can effectively lock the adjustment.

The purpose of this adjustment will be described hereinafter.

Referring to Figure 3, coal rising in the mouthpiece is prevented from falling down between the sides of the mouthpiece and the frame 4 by sealing members I5c located inside the side plates I5a and forming with the curved faces 24gV of the mouthpiece a seal maintained for all adjustments of the mouthpiece.

lReferring to Figure 1, the upper edge of the top'side of the mouthpiece has a flat face 24h. that slides undera corresponding face of the cover,l I6.

Referring nowto Figures 1, 2 and 3, between thejpwally |41" of the frame' I4 andk the wall 24e ofthe mouthpiece there are provided two gates 35 respectively pivoted on trunnions 33 mounted in the wall I4f. Each gate adjacent its trunnion supportis cut out andprovided with a curved edge 35d concentric with its trunnion support and with the adjacent edge of the flat projection I4d so that a seal is maintained between the gate and the projection I4d for all positionsof adjustment of the gates. The top edge 35e of each gate is so proportioned that when the gate is lowered, the edge becomes flush with the` top edge I4e of the wall I4f. The gates are adjustabley by handles 35d and are locked in position by means of taper pointed set screws 35clocated in the side plates |50, and engaging with teeth 35h on the outer edge of the gates. The set screws are manually retractable from theV locking position to permit changing the position of 'thelgates As the gates are raised, they serve to reduce, and so control, the amount of coal delivered to the sidesand to the back corners of the firebox as will be described.V o

Supported by the frame I4, I5 within the firing opening I3 is the distributing apparatus generally indicated at 3. This aparatus comprises a blast chamber 21, such as described in my Patent No. 2,090,628, from which issue high and low lpressure jets. The high .pressure jets issue through fingers 21a, which fingers also form a riddle to separate the ne from the coarse coal, the fine coal falling between the fingers into the low pressure jet issuing from a longitudinal slot 21h.

As shown in Figures 3 and 7, the blast chamber is held in place by two sets of opposing screws 2'Ic and 21d threaded through' the side walls I 5a. The screws 2'Icare tapered at their ends and engage in holes provided on opposite sides of the blast chamber. The screws 21d which are formed at their ends with plain cylindrical portions, are adapted to be screwed through the side walls I 5a and the heads of the screws brought tightly against their seats on the outside of the side walls I5a. This construction provides a pair of aligned pins, one extending inwardly from each side wall I5a and spaced apart a definite distance.l Immediately below the recess holes in the sides of the blast chamber 21 are 'slots milled out to an inverted U-shape, the semilscrew axis.

circular `sides of 1 which rest r on the pins l.formed the U-shaped slots over the pins 21d, and'locking it in position by tightening screws 21o, after aligning'the upper set of holes withthe pointed ends of the screws. As-the screws.` 21e and 21d are a slightly lesser distance apart than the `recesses and the U-shaped slots, the pivoted ends of screws 21e exert a downwardpressure on thelast chamber causing the semi-circular sides of the U-shaped slots to bear hard against the pins 21d, thus securing the blast 'chamber rigidlyin position without any possibility of vibration.

Referring to Figure 7, the low pressure steam is supplied by a pipe V27e at the rightside ofl the drawing and the high pressure steam is supplied through'a pipe 21f at the left side of the drawing.

Located beneath the blast chamber is a distributor plate 30 similar to that described in' my Patent No. 22,128,940. The distributor plate-has a three point suspension, two points of which are provided by studs 33a extending forwardly from the inside ofthe wall idf and engaging the underside of the plate. The other support is provided by lugs 30balso extending forwardly from the underside of the wall I4f and forming ayoke to receive a tongue extending rearwardly from theV plate. The distributor is locked in position by means of a rod 30o passing through a hole in the wall I5a, shown atthe right side in Figure 7,' through aligned holes provided inthe Ayoke 30b`and through ahole 30d in the tongue extension of the distributor plate 30. The rod 3c'is held. in place by a hook 351e securedto the frame member I4. When the handle portion of the rod 3Uc is hanging in a vertical position it is prevented from being dislodged from its position by the hook portion of the member 311e. This mounting provides for easy removal and replacement ofthe distributor plate bysimply withdrawing the rod 30e to unlock the distributor Aplate and the reinsertion of the rod 30C to vlock in the replaced distributor plate.

The under surface of the distributor plate may be cooled by the draft drawn in through a longitudinal slot Mg provided in the lflange Mh extending from the wall I and bolted to the boiler backhead.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, the axis of the screw conveyor 39 lies in the vertical medial -plane of the locomotive and' stoker, and the night of the screw conveyor 39 in the riser conduit 2 not only is taperedat its delivery end but also. starting at'the point indicated at 39a., has its leading face sloped forwardly from the periphery to the hub to form an obtuse angle with the And` in addition, the tip of the conveyor screw is provided with a secondary vane 39h. Thetapering of and the sloping of the flight commence'at a point adjacent the point at which the conduitV `2 commences approximately to diverge and 'increasein cross-section. As the coal feeds up'through the transfer conduit 20 and the riser vconduit `22 and reaches the enlarging mouthpiece 24 and the tapering flight 39a., the coal spreads sidewardly, lls the mouthpiece and feeds therefrom across the entire mouth area. This spreading and feeding action completely filling the mouthpiece is 'facilitated by the tapering of the flight, by the sloping of the flight as above described, by the secondary vane, by the slope of thetop side of the mouth- .rpieceand itslaterally diverging channel Ways. as well as by the amount that the mouthpiece tilts upwardly from the horizontal. With the construction shown, the coal feeds from the mouthpiece in successive Waves or avalanches whichV pour coal'onto the distributing apparatus. The `waves are synchronized with the turning of the screw conveyor- 39,A and each wave starts at one side of the mouthpiece and moves thereacross t .the opposite side travelling in` one direction only.

Furthermore, the coal pouring from the mouthpiece is relatively loose, i. e., is not packed into va conglomerate-mass because both thetapering of the end of the ight Yof the screwv 39 and the presence of the secondary flight y39h actingv within the enlarging mouthpiece serve to condition the coal coming from'the riser conduit. The coal thus conditioned is in a' loosened condition in contrast to the packed condition it may be in in the transfer conduit and in the lower part of the riser conduit; Further, the flight 39 terminates appreciably below thetop of the mouthpiece so that-coal is not fed from the mouthpiece directly from the screw, but rather by the pushing action of the oncoming coal.

Further, with the construction of the mouthpiece described, the amount of coal fed from the sides of the mouthpiece is greater than that fed over the central portion so that more coal is supplied to the sides of the rebox than to the central portion thereof as is desired for efficient firing. But the amount of coal delivered to the back corners of the rcbox may be controlled by means of the rgates 35, which gates, as they are raised more and more, increasingly reduce the amount of coal reachingthe extreme sides of the blast chamber and the channels 311i of the-distributor plate, which channels'supply coal to the back corners. y

VThe turning vof the screw conveyor 39 normally tends to feed more -coal to the right side of the firebox in the construction shown in Figure 1 than to the left side thereof. That is, a section to the right of the longitudinalcenterline of the firebox tends to receive more coal than the corresponding section located to the left of the centerline. The reason for this is'that a screw conveyor of the type described tends to concentrate vthe coal on the side of the conduit adjacent the This tendency, however, inthe present embodiment is successfully corrected by adjusting the mouthpiece to one side of the verticalmedial plane of the locomotive stoker and firebox represented by the line y--y as shown in Figure 2 so that a balanced deliveryto the distributing apparatus is obtained. This adjustment may be made by manipulating the screws I.'after the stoker has been installed on the locomotive and the adjustment once made may bevleft indefinitely or readjusted from time to time as circumstances may require. f

Ink Figure 3 the'mouthpiece'is shown aligned with the vertical medial plane of the stoker indicated by line y-y in Fig. 2, and in Figure2the mouthpiece is shown adjusted as for^operation `on a locomotive, the `axis of the mouthpiece being shiftedv about its pivotalaxis :c-z'so as to .,liveringfa greater: or less amountv of "coal toany portion of the rebox at the Willof thefoperator, a necessity which may frequently arisef'duegto the draft or other conditions peculiar to each individual installation. 1 Y. -V

Referring now to FigureA 8 in this modification, the transfer conduit instead of being connected in end to end` relationship with the tender hopper |0| receivesf-:coal froml the hopper |0| through a delivery yopening |02'rf The rearward end of the conduit |00 :is carriediby4 a saddle |03 slidably mounted in channels formedzby'angle irons |04 secured to the tender frame The supporting connection between theV conduit v|00 and the saddle |03 providesuf'or universal-movement by means of externally spherically 'shaped flange portions |'ioperating in similarly spherically shaped recesses |06 in the saddle |03.A Extending upwardly from the rear of the conduit |00 is a hopper |01 that loosely receives the downwardly extending sealing ring |02a toprovide for relative movement between the two parts; Compression springs |08 carried by the hopper |01 keeps the sealing ring |02a in sealing contact with the hopper |0| adjacent the edges of opening |02 so that coal does not escape from "the conveying system during its passage from'the'chute |02 to the hopper |01. f Y

In the hopper |0| is ascrew conveyor |08 driven from'its rear end by 'a gear drive, not

shown. The source of power for Ydriving the tates a pinion shaft ||3 mounted in bearings I|4 carried by the rearward end of the conduit |00. The pinion shaft at its 'rearward end through a universal connection drives telescoping drive shaft ||5 which drives theabo've mentioned gear drive in therear of the hopper.

Pinion shaft I3 drives the rea-r end of the conveyor screw in the conduit |00 through a pinion gear ||6 on the shaft and a gear ||1 (Figure 8) meshing with gear ||6. Gear I1 is connected to drive the rear end of the screw conveyor.

The hopper 0| is provided with the usual crushing mechanism, not shown, and which, of course, is located to the rear of the discharge mouth |02.

Referring to Figures-1l,'12 and 13, another modification of the connection between the transfer conduit 200 and the hopper 20| is shown. Extending forwardly from the hopper is a delivery chute 202 which' curves and opens downwardly into the-ball of theball-and-socket joint that connectsthe conduit 200 and the chute 202. The conveyor 209 in the hopper is driven from its rearward end by a gear-2|0 which is driven by a pinion gear 2|| drivenfrom the drive shaft 2|2 rotating in bearings provided on the hopper. 'Ihe shaft 2|2 is in turn rotated by a drive shaft 2| 3 corresponding to the drive shaft I2 shown in Figure 8. Referring again to `Figure 13, pinion gear 2|| also drives gear *2M which, through a telescoping drive shaft 2|5, rotates the conveyor screw 2I6 in the transfer conduit 200.

I claim:

1. In a firebox having a back wall provided with a firing opening and fuel distributing apparatus associated with said firing opening, the combination of `a conduit system arranged so as to effect delivery of Vfuel to the distributing apparatus, said conduit system including a conduit section adapted to direct the iiow of fuel delivered therethrough to said. distributing' apparatus, a

rotatable screw conveyor insaid conduit section, said conduit section being adjustable independently of said'distributing apparatus and of said screw conveyor tok adjust the direction of the flow of fuel to said distributing apparatus.

2. In a locomotive stoker for supplying solid fuel to a rebox through a firing opening in the back wall thereof, including fuel distributing apparatus associated with said opening, a conduit system for delivering fuel to said distributing apparatus comprising the combination of a conduit section from which fuel flows to said distributing apparatus and a conveyor screw rotatable within said conduit section and having its axis lying in the vertical plane including the longitudinal centerline of said rebox, said conduit section being adjustable with respect to the axis of the conveyor screwabout an axis intersecting the axis of the conveyor screw whereby to regulate the delivery of fuel to said distributing apparatus on opposite sides of said vertical plane.

3. In a firebox having a backhead provided with a firing opening, and having fuel distributing apparatus associated with said opening, the combination of a conduit system adapted to deliver fuel to said distributing apparatus and including a section fixed with respect to the distributing apparatus and having a delivery end, an adjustable section adapted to deliver fuel to said distributing apparatus, and means for pivotally mounting said adjustable section on the delivery end of said fixed section so as to provide an unrestricted passageway between the adjustable and the fixed sections for all positions of adjustment of said adjustable section.

4. In a rebox having a back wall provided with a firing opening and having fuel distributing apparatus associated with said firing opening,

`the combination of a fuel delivery system adapted to be arranged to deliver fuel to said fuel distributing apparatus, said system including a section having a fuel-guiding surface parallel to the 'fuel flow and adapted to guide the flow of fuel to said distributing apparatus, a rotatable screw conveyor in said section, said section being adjustable independently of said distributing apparatus, and independently of said screw conveyor, and adjustable means between said screw conveyor and' said distributing apparatus adapted to control the iiow of fuel to the sides of said distributing apparatus.

5. In a firebox having a backhead provided with a firing opening and having fuel distributing apparatus associated with said opening, the combination of a conduit system adapted to deliver fuel to the distributing apparatus and comprising a fixed conduit section adapted to be secured to but terminate remotely from the backhead, a movable conduit section pivotally supported upon said xed conduit section and bridging the space between the distributing apparatus and the terminus of said fixed conduit section, the pivotal axis of said movable conduit section being disposed in the vertical axial plane of said fixed conduit section and approximately at right angles to the axis of said movable conduit section, and a screw conveyor in said fixed conduit section extending into said movable conduit section for moving fuel through said sections to said distributing apparatus.

6. In a locomotive stokerv having a conduit system for conveying fuel from the locomotive tender to a firing opening in the locomotive backhead,V and having distributing` apparatus assocated with said opening, the combination. of -a frame adapted to embrace said'ring opening and be attached to the backhead, a cover for said frame, and means on said framewfor supporting said distributing apparatus, a riser conduit forming part of said system, and meansl extending from said frame for rigidly supporting the -forward end of said riser conduit, a mouthpiece pivotally connected tosaid riser conduit and pivotablev about an axis in the vertical axial plane of said stoker 'and perpendicular to the axis of-said mouthpiece.

'7. In a stoker for coal ring a locomotiverebox, and having a conduit systemior conveying coal from the locomotive tender to distributing apparatus associated with aring opening in the backhead of the locomotive rebox, the combination of a frame adapted to embrace :said firing opening and be attached to the backhead, a cover for said frame having a hand-firingy opening aligned with the said backhead ring opening, means on said frame for supporting said distributing apparatus, a riser conduit, means` ex; tending from said frame for rigidly supporting the forward end of said'riser conduit, a mouthpiece pi'votally connected to said riser conduit and pivotable aboutan axis in the vertical axial plane of said Stoker and at right angles to the axis of said mouthpiece, land said mouthpiece having diverging side walls extending to and terminating at said distributing apparatus.

8. In a locomotive stoker for supplying coal to a rebox having a back wall having a ring opening therein, the combination of a housing adapted to be secured to the back wall and to enclose said ring opening, said'housing having a pair of oppositely disposed rearwardly extending walls, 'a fuel delivery system adapted to deliver fuel to said opening including a fconduit section mounted between-said 4walls and tiltable laterally to adjust said section with respect to the walls, and adjusting and locking means carried by said rearwardly extending Awalls and engaging said section for moving it to adjusted position and locking it therein.

9. In a stoker for coal firing a locomotive'iirebox, and having a conduit system 'for conveying coal from the locomotive tender to distributing apparatus associated withl a ring opening in the backhead, the combination of a housing adapted to encompass said firing opening and be supported on the backhead, a coal delivery mouthpiece adapted to terminate adjacent said distributing apparatus for delivering coalthereto, said mouthpiece having an upwardly sloping bottom coal supporting wall, and upwardly diverging side walls,r a screw conveyor for movingcoal through and conditioning it in said mouthpiece, and means for adjusting said mouthpiece .to shift laterally its axis at an angle with respect to the axis of said screw conveyor to oiset the tendency of the screw conveyor to concentrate vthe flow of coal from one side of said mouthpiece.

10. In a rebox having -a backhead provided with a firing opening and having fuel distributing apparatus associated .with said opening,l the combination of mechanism adapted to eiect delivery of fuel to the distributing apparatus and comprising a conduit system and conveying means enclosed therein, said conduit system comprising a conduit section adapted vto be i'lxed to but terminate remotely from thebackhead and a conduit section connected to said fixed section and bridging the space between the distributing apparatus and the'terminus of said xed section and laterallyadjustable.with respect to the distributing apparatus, said conveying means comprisinga rotatable conveyor having a spiral vane extending throughout said xed section and into said adjustable section, .the portion of said vane lying within said adjustablesection having less fuel handling capacity than the portion in said xed sectionso as to cause-the `mass of fuel to spreadout laterally as it passes through said 'adjustable section. v.

11. In a stoker for'coal ring a locomotive iirebox, and havinga conduit system for delivering coal from a tender to coal distributing apparatus associated with a firing -opening vin the rebox backhead, the combination vof a coal delivery conduit having a bottom wall terminating in a coal delivering ledgeover which'coal flows. to said distributing apparatus, saidbottom wall sloping upwardly with respect -to thehorizontal, and oppositely disposed gatemeans between-said delivering ledge and saiddistributing apparatus, said gate means being substantially parallel to said bottom wall and adjustable independently to increase eiectively the lengths -of the side portions of said bottom wall to control the amount of coal fed to the sides and Yrear corners of the irebox.` y

12. In a stoker for coal firing a locomotive lirebox, and having a conduit system -forconveying coal from the locomotivev tender to the ring opening of the locomotive iirebox, and distributing apparatus associated with said rfiring opening for distributing over the rebox coal delivered thereto, the combination of va riser conduit terminating in an expandingmouth portion, said mouth portion having a bottom coal supporting wall over whichcoal ilows vto, said distributing apparatus and xed side walls forming coal guiding surfaces, said bottom wall beingat .an angle with respect to the horizontal which angle is less than ninety degrees but greater than the'eifec` tive angle of reposeof the-coal,ga'nd the fuel guiding side surfaces of said mouth portion diverging toward the delivery end and lone ofthe side surfaces being inclined less from the .vertical than the other, a rotatable screwconveyor in said riser conduit the deliveryv end of which stops appreciably short of the deliveryfen'd of said mouth` portion, and the directionl of rotation of the screw conveyor being such that a 'point onl the periphery thereof adjacent thebottom wall moves to-v ward' the less inclined' side surface as the screw conveyor rotates.

13. In a stoker for coal ring a locomotive rebox, and having a conduit system for conveying coal from the locomotive-tender to the iring opening ofthe locomotive' rebox,and distributing apparatus associated with said `liring opening for distributing over the. rebox coal delivered thereto, the combination of a riser conduit terminating in an expandingmouth portion, .said mouth portion having an upwardly inclined bottom Wall, andfdiverging sidewalls, one of the side wallsL beinginclined lessfrom the vertical than the other, a rotatable screw conveyor sys-r tem in said riser conduit thedeli-very end of which stops appreciably short ofthe eiective delivery Ledge of'said; bottom wall, the direction of rotation of theascrew conveyor being such that apoint on the periphery thereof adjacent the conduit, and the side of said' V-'shapedn edge adjacent said less inclined side wall being generally higherthan the opposite edgeoisaid delivery edge. f

14. In a'stoker for coal ring a locomotive fireboxfandhaving a conduit system for'conveying coal Vfrom the locomotive 'tender -t`o thefiring opening of the locomotive rebox, and distributing apparatus associated with said ring opening fordistributing over the rebox coal delivered thereto, the combination of a riser conduit vterminating in an expanding mouth" portion, Jsaid mouth portion having an upwardly-inclined bottom wall, and diverging side walls, one of- Ythe side walls being inclined less from the vertical than the other, a rotatablescrew conveyor system in said riser conduit the delivery end of whichstops Yapp'reciably short of the effective delivery edge of said bottom wall, the directionof rotation of the screw conveyor being such that apoint on the periphery thereof adjacent the bottomwall moves toward the less inclined side as the screw conveyor rotates, and theV delivery edge of said bottom wall being approximately V-shaped with the vertex thereof displaced lfrom the vertical axial plane of the riser conduit, and the side of said V-shaped edge adjacent said less inclined side wall being generally higher than the opposite edge of said delivery edge, and said mouth portion being adjustable to shift-laterally" the position of said V-shaped edge of said bottom wall and to change the angles of inclination of said side walls from the vertical to compensate for the tendency of the screw conveyor to concentrate coal delivery from one side of said mouth portion.

15. In a stoker for coal firing a locomotive rebox, and having a conduitsystem vfor conveying coal from the locomotive tender to the ring opening of the locomotive rebox, and distributing apparatus associated with said firing opening for distributing over the rebox coal delivered thereto, the combination of a riser conduit terminating in `an expanding mouth portion, vsaid mouth portion having a top wall, an upwardly inclined bottom wall and diverging side walls, one

of the sidewalls being inclined less from the vertical than the other, a rotatable screw conveyor .system in said riser conduit the delivery end of which extends into said mouth portion but stops appreciably short of the effective delivery edgevof said bottom wall, the direction of rotation of the screw conveyor being such that -av pointlon vthe periphery thereof adjacent the bottom wall' moves toward the less inclined side wall as the screw conveyor rotates, and the top wall of said mouth portion being depressed lengthwise alongfpart of its central portion to so direct the coal movement through the mouth portion that more coal flows from the side portions of the mouth portion than from the central portion thereof.

16. In a stoker for coal-ring a locomotive rebox, and having a conduit system for conveying coal from the locomotive tender to the firing opening of the rebox, Yand distributing apparatus forward of said ring opening for distributing over the rebox coal delivered thereto, the combination of a. riser conduit terminating inV an upwardly extending expanded mouth portion; a rotatable screw conveyor in said riser conduit for moving the coal therealong, successive cross-sections of said mouth portion from its receiving end to its delivery end having increasingly flattening oval contours, the respective long and short axes of which intersect along the median line of said mouth portion but'a't increasing` distances from, 75

the median line ofthe screw conveyor whereby the tendency for the rotation of the screwconveyor in the riser conduitto concentrate ow of coal therethrough to one side of the conduitfis offset and the amounts of coal owing from corresponding portions of said mouth portion 'are equal. 1 1:'

17. In a Stoker for coal-'iiring a locomotive'iire box, and having a conduit system for conveying coal from the locomotive tender tothe hring opening of the rebox, and distributing apparatus associated with the firing opening `for distributing over the rebox coal delivered thereto, the combination of aV riser conduit terminating in an expanded mouth portion, a rotatable screw conveyor extending lengthwise of said riser 'conduit for moving the coal therethrough, and'the coal-guiding surfaces and lower forward edgof said mouth portion being olset with respect 'to the axis of said screw conveyor whereby the tendency for the rotation of the screw conveyor'. in the riser conduit to concentrate flow of "coal therethroughV to one side of the conduit is offset and the amounts of coal flowing from corresponding portions of said mouth portion: are equal. i'

18. In a stoker for coal firing a locomotive firebox, and having a conduit system for conveying coal from the locomotive tender to the locomotive rebox, the combination of a riser conduit'terminating in an expanding mouth portion, said mouth portion having an upwardly inclined` bottom wall and diverging side walls, one of the side walls being inclined less from the verticalfthan the other, a rotatable screw conveyor system in said riser conduit the delivery end of which extends into said mouth portion but stops? appreciably short of the effective delivery edgeff said bottom wall, the direction of rotation of tli'escrew conveyor being such that a point on the periphery thereof adjacent the bottom wall movesft'oward the less inclined side wall as the screw conveyor rotates; and said stoker including a hopper substantially horizontally mounted beneath? said tender, and a transfer conduit extend'ing'iorwardly therefrom connecting with said riser.` conduit and inclined at least ten degreesfromthe horizontal, the lower section of said rise'rcnduit being inclined at least forty degrees from" the horizontal, Yand said bottom' wall of said/mouth portion beinginclined at least fifty-six'de'g'reesy from the horizontal. "i l.

v 19. In a Stoker for coal firing a locomotiverebox, and having a conduit system forconveying coal from the locomotive tender to theing opening of the locomotive rebox, and' distributing apparatus associated with said 'riiig--open ingfor distributing over the rebox coal'd'elvered thereto, the combination of a riser conduit` terminating in an expanding mouthportioifs'aid mouth portion having an upwardly inclined bottom wall and diverging sidewalls, oneffffthe side Walls being inclinedless from the vertical' than the other, gate means associated' kwith-'said mouth portion to control the ilow of coal -totle' distributing apparatus, and 'arotatablescrew conveyor system in said riser conduit the delivery end of which extends into Vsaid mouth portionlbu't' stops appreciably shortv ofthe effective Adelivery edge of said bottom wall, the direction of"rot'a tion of the Vscrew conveyor being such that a point on the periphery thereof adjacent thebot-r torn wall moves'toward' the less inclinedfside wall as the screw conveyor rotates.

`20. In' a'lrebox having a.- backheadprovidedwith a firing opening, and having fuel distributing apparatus associated with said opening, the combination of a conduit system adapted to deliver fuel to said distributing apparatus, said conduit system terminating at its delivery end in an upwardly extending mouth portion comprising side Walls, a rear wall and a forward wall, said side walls diverging toward their delivery ends, and said rear wall being formed with a pair of arched passage-ways diverging from each other.

21. In a rebox having a backhead provided with a firing opening, and having fuel distributing apparatus associated with said opening, the combination of a conduit system adapted to deliver fuel to said distributing apparatus, said conduit system terminating at its delivery end in an upwardly extending mouth portion comprising side walls, a rear wall and a forward wall, said rear wall being formed with a pair of arched passage-ways diverging toward their delivery ends, and said forward wall changing from an arcuate transverse section to a substantially flat transverse section in the direction of the fuel now.

22. In a flrebox having a backhead provided with a firing opening, and having fuel distributing apparatus associated with said opening, the combination of a conduit system adapted to deliver fuel to said distributing apparatus, said conduit system terminating at its delivery end in an upwardly extending mouth portion comprising side walls, a forward wall and a rear wall, said rear wall having a portion converging toward said forward wall in the direction of the delivery end, and said converging portion being bounded laterally by a pair of arched passageways diverging in the direction of the fuel flow.

23. In a locomotive stoker, for delivering coal to the firebox of a locomotive, and having fuel distributing apparatus associated with said firebox, the combination of a conduit system adapted to deliver fuel to said distributing apparatus, said conduit system terminating at its delivery end in an upwardly extending mouthpiece, said mouthpiece having a receiving end and a delivery end, and coal guiding walls connecting said ends including a relatively flat upwardly extending bottom wall, upwardly extending side walls having concave cross sections and diverging from the receiving end to the delivery end, and an upwardly extending top wall depressed along a portion of. its longitudinal centerline effective to form in commotion with the side walls a, pair of diverging channels, and a conveyor screw terminating adjacent the receiving end of said mouthpiece and delivering fuel directly thereto.

24. In a locomotive stoker for supplying coal to a rebox having a firing opening, the combination of a fuel supply conduit terminating in a fuel conditioning chamber having a delivery ledge extending across said ring opening and over which fuel flows to said ring opening, fuel distributing means forward of said delivery ledge for distributing the fuel over the said frebox, screw conveyor means in said supply conduit, a tapered worm provided in said conditioning chamber driven from the forward end of said screw conveyor and acting to thin and condition the fuel as it moves through said conditioning chamber and acting further to regulate the fuel iiow over said delivery ledge, the bottom wall of said conditioning chamber sloping forwardly and upwardly at an angle appreciably greater than that of the corresponding wall of said supply conduit and reaching to said delivery ledge, a top wall converging forwardly toward said bottom wall and having a fuel guiding surface the central portion of which is depressed with respect to the side portions thereof, and means providing diverging side walls for said conditioning chamber adjustable with respect to the vertical for controlling the spreading movement of the coal in the conditioning chamber and for controlling the iiow over the delivery ledge.

25. In a locomotive stoker for supplying fuel to a firebox through a ring opening in a back wall thereof, the combination comprising, a fuel supply conduit terminating in a fuel conditioning chamber having a delivery ledge extending across said firing opening and over which fuel ows to said firing opening, screw conveyor means in said supply conduit, fuel moving means in said conditioning chamber, the bottom wall of said conditioning chamber sloping forwardly and upwardly and at an angle appreciably greater than that of the corresponding wall of the supply conduit and reaching to the delivery ledge, a top wall converging forwardly toward said bottom wall and having a fuel guiding surface the central portion of which is depressed with respect to the side portions thereof, said depressed portion being adapted to cause the spreading of the coal in said conditioning chamber and to increase the concentration of the flow of the coal passing therethrough over the side portions of said delivery ledge, and means effectively providing diverging side walls for said conditioning chamber adjustable with respect to the vertical for controlling the spreading movement of the coal in the conditioning chamber and for controlling the flow over the delivery ledge.

26. A conduit section for use as a part of the fuel-delivery system of a locomotive stoker having a bottom wall terminating in a delivery ledge at the delivery end of said section, side walls diverging from the intake to the delivery end, and a top wall having an intermediate portion extending inwardly of the conduit section forming in conjunction with the side and bottom walls a pair of channels diverging from a, zone in the rear of the delivery ledge toward the delivery end.

27. A conduit section for use as a part of the fuel-delivery System of a locomotive stoker having a bottom wall terminating in a delivery ledge at the delivery end of said section, side walls diverging from the intake to the delivery end, and a, top wall sloping toward the bottom wall from the intake to the delivery end, an intermediate portion of said top wall extendinginwardly of the conduit section forming in con- Junction with the side and bottom walls a pair of channels diverging from a zone in the rear of the delivery ledge toward the delivery end.

28. A conduit section for use as a part of the fuel-delivery system of a locomotive stoker having a bottom wall, curved near the intake end and substantially fiat at the delivery end of said section, said bottom wall terminating at the delivery end in a delivery ledge, side walls diverging from the intake to the delivery end, a top wall sloping toward the bottom wall from the intake to the delivery end, an intermediate portion of said top wall extending inwardly of the conduit section forming in conjunction with the side and bottom walls a pair of channels diverging from a zone in the rear of the delivery ledge toward the delivery end.

WILLIAM T. HANNA. 

